DICKENS (CHARLES) Autograph cheque signed, in favour of Messrs Sparks and Son, London, 6 January...

DICKENS (CHARLES) Autograph cheque signed ('Charles Dickens'), in favour of Messrs Sparks and Son, for four pounds, four shillings, drawn on Messrs Coutts & Compy; receipt stamp of Scott's & Co.; countersigned on reverse ('Sparks Son'), one page, printed with manuscript insertions and cancellation, light dust-staining and spotting, oblong 8vo (94 x 192mm.), London, 6 January 1869 Footnotes: DICKENS SETTLES HIS ACCOUNT FOR NEW ELASTIC STOCKINGS THE DAY AFTER A PERFORMANCE OF OLIVER TWIST: Whilst a covering letter for this cheque is not mentioned in the Letters, a flurry of letters that day suggests he was catching up with business correspondence. To Frederic Ouvry he wrote '...I murdered the girl from Oliver Twist last night in a highly successful and bloodthirsty manner...' (Graham Storey, ed., The Letters of Charles Dickens, 2002, Vol.XII, p.272). Oliver Twist had been published thirty years earlier, so it is likely he is referring here to one of his popular and dramatic public readings of his work, which he continued to perform right up until his death in 1870. Sparks & Son were instrument makers and suppliers of surgical bandages and trusses based in 28 Conduit Street, London. A letter from Charles Dickens to the same company from August 1868 indicates that he regularly placed orders for elastic stockings ('like the last'). It is thought he had worn such things since at least 1863 (The Letters of Charles Dickens, Supplement XVII, no.XII.174.11, p.157 online). For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing